WELLINGTON TOPICS.

Taranaki Daily News, 30 July 1917, Page 6

WELLINGTON TOPICS.

THE PARTY TRUCE. DIVERSE interpretations. (Special Correspondent.) „ Wellington .Tulv 27 ... en his intimate political 'friends If u a ir sur l>riscd by the warmth of Mr. Masscy's retort to Mr. Forbes' suggestion that he was not observing the spirit of the party truce. The circumstances seemed- scarcely to;justify the implication that "strings" were hoin" "pulled," nor the threat that something jerj unpleasant would happen to members if they did not mend their wavs. But it has since transpired that an hour or two before the Prime Minister's outburst a meeting of members of both sides of the House had been held to discuss the propriety of reviving in some shape or another o constitutional Opposition to systematise, as it -were, the criticism of the Government's administration and legislation. There was a good deal of plain speaking at ttjis meeting, and probably some of it had been leported to ]\lr. Massoy, with such embellishments as stories of the kind always gather as they pass from lip to lip.

NO DISUNION. But plain as the speaking was, it breathed not a word of disloyalty to the party truce. One or two of the conspirators frankly confessed their disappointment with the National Government, and one or two others suggested changes in the constitution of the Cabinet, but not one urged a return during the course of the 'War to the old system of "ins" and "outs'" and its inevitable accompaniment of bickering and strife. Men pledged to the truce up to the hilt felt no compunction in taking part in the proceedings. Their acceptance of the principle of r.ou-party Government left them free to join in the demand for a more effective voice in the management of the country. The new Opposition, if it ever takes shape, will not be a disgruntled party seeking office, but a body of earnest men, anxious to exercise their constitutional rights to the profit advantage of the country.

BUT MUCH CRITICISM. The debate on the Address-in-Reply showed conclusively enough thit the disposition to criticise the National Government is not confined to one set of politicians or to one particular party. Reformers were as ready to figd fault as Liberals were, and Liberals as ready as Lahorites. One day we had the Liberal whip throwing a scathing indictment against the Treasury benches across the floor of the House, and the next day the Reform whip supporting him. Members like Mr. Isitt, Mr. Veitch. Mr. Young, Mr. Statham, and Mr. Craigie, whose loyalty to the party truce could not be questioned for a single moment, on occasions expressed in tho plainest terms their disapproval of much the Government had done and much it had left undone. Vet men of this type, whom no one could suspect of scheming to turn Mr. Massoy and his collegaues out of ollice, can never play their part ill Parliament till Ministers reconcile themselves to the idea of an organised friendly Opposition.

POPULATION AND REPRESENTATION. The revised census figures which were iaid on the table of the House last week bear out in a remarkable way the predictions in regard to the growth and distribution of population which were made in the-e notes nearly a year ago. It was anticipated on the eve of the census that the population of the South Island would show an increase between 11)11 and 1910 from 441,477 to 445,02 i», and the actual ligures for 1910 have turned out to be •1-15.155, revealing a discrepancy of only 407. or hardly more than one ]>oi thousand. The figures for the North Island were not nearly anticipated owing to the increase of population in this portion of tho Dominion between 11)14 "and 1010 having been even more rapid than that of the previous three years, which was taken as the basis of the estimate. But the distribution of the population was very closely estimated, and the forecast that the North Island would take three scats in the House of Representatives from the South is pretty sure to be realised-

TIIE DRIFT NORTHWARD.?. The drift northwards, however it may affect the balance of political power between the two islands will necessitate a verv extensive readjustment of tho electoral boundaries in both divisions of tho Dominion. Tho "'quota'' will be in the neighborhood of 10,400, and while Auckland and Wellington will about hold their own, Christeluireh and Dunedin will have to further extend their boundaries into the suburban districts. In the North, the Eden, Manukau. Wellington Suburbs, Wellington North and Wellington South shew large increases among the urban electorates, and Waikato." Tauranga, Taumarunui, and Ilawke's B.i.v among the rural districts Tn the South. Christchurcii North, Avon, Uuiiedin South. Inveivargill, and Nelson are the only constituencies that show any eon>iderable growth, wdiile ostlaiid, lliirumii. and Wakatipu are the only three in the Dominion whole population has fallen below eleven thousand. These, of course, will require large additions from some source to reach the ''quota."

the address-in-re ply. The debate on tho Address-in-Rcply concluded early last evening, having occupied, more or loss intermittently, just upon four weeks, and it may bo assumed tho serious business of tho session will now begin. The interesting character of the debate was kept up to the end, the member, for Waikato and the member for Clutha finding something fresh to say oven in its closing hours. ilr. Young, replying to a characteristic interjection from Mr. Vigor Brown, very pertinently declared that if the members of the House were earnest and persistent they would get what they and the country wanted from the Government. It was an appropriate affirmation made at an opportune time. It now remains for members to he earnest and persistent.